Two years after it was bought by apparel giant VF Corp., Fort Worth-based work and lifestyle brand Dickies is posting sales increases and its longtime CEO and fourth generation of the founding family is stepping down.

After 36 years in the business, Philip Williamson is moving into a non-operating role as a "brand ambassador." He's being replaced by Denny Bruce as global brand president. Williamson will continue to be available to management of the former privately held company known as Williamson-Dickies Mfg. Co. with roots back to 1922, the company said.

Dickies operations will continue to be in Fort Worth, and a spokeswoman for VF confirmed that Bruce is moving his family to Texas. The brand that dresses Big Tex, a fixture character of the State Fair of Texas, is making a fresh shirt and new pants for the 55-foot statue to wear in September. Read More